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Xiongbin Lu, PhD

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Member of the Graduate Faculty, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX

Research Interests

Genomic DNA of human cells is under the constant attack of chemicals, free radicals, and UV or ionizing radiation from environmental exposure, by-products of intracellular metabolism, or medical therapy. In response to diverse genotoxic stresses, cells activate DNA damage checkpoint pathways to protect genomic integrity and promote survival of the organism. DNA damage response are a cascade of phosphorylation events initiated by the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-related protein kinases including ATM, ATR and DNA-PK. A vast network of over 700 ATM/ATR targets have been identified and shown to play pivotal roles in the complex cellular response to DNA damage.

In my labortory, we are interested to identify and investigate regulators that modulate the activity of the DNA damage response. Current areas of emphasis include:

(1) Biological functions of the oncogenic Wip1 phosphatase in tumor progression;

(2) Regulation of protein phosphatases and deubiquitinases in the p53-Mdm2 auto-regulatory feedback loop;

(3) Regulation of miRNA and other non-coding RNAs in the DNA damage response.

A combined approach of proteomics, genomics and mouse cancer models will be used in our studies.

Office Address

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
7777 Knight Road
Unit Number: 173
Houston, TX 77054
Room Number: Smith Research Building, SRB1.705
Phone: 713-745-6247
Email: XLu2@mdanderson.org

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1998 Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, PHD, Biochemistry
1993 Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, BS, Biological Sciences

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 12/2010-8/2012
Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 8/2007-11/2010
Research Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2003-2007

Professional Memberships

American Association for Cancer Research
member, 2007-present
American Association for the Advancement of Science
member, 2006-present
Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America
Life member, 2010-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Han C, Wan G, Langley RR, Zhang X, Lu X. Crosstalk between the DNA damage response pathway and microRNAs. Cell Mol Life Sci 69(17):2895-906, 9/2012. e-Pub 3/2012. PMID: 22430204.
2. Zhang X, Lu X. Posttranscriptional regulation of miRNAs in the DNA damage response. RNA Biol 8(6):960-3, Nov-Dec, 11/2011. e-Pub 11/1/2011. PMCID: PMC3256419.
3. Wan G, Mathur R, Hu X, Zhang X, Lu X. miRNA response to DNA damage. Trends Biochem Sci 36(9):478-84, 9/2011. e-Pub 7/2011. PMID: 21741842.
4. Zhang X, Berger FG, Yang J, Lu X. USP4 Inhibits p53 through Deubiquitinating and Stabilizing ARF-BP1. EMBO J 30(11):2177-89, 6/1/2011. e-Pub 4/26/2011. PMID: 21522127.
5. Yasunaga J, Lin FC, Lu X, Jeang KT. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 20 (USP20) targets TRAF6 and HTLV-1 Tax to negatively regulate NF-{kappa}B signaling. J Virol. e-Pub 4/27/2011. PMID: 21525354.
6. Zhang X, Wan G, Berger FG, He X, Lu X. The ATM kinase induces microRNA biogenesis in the DNA damage response. Mol Cell 41(4):371-383, 2/18/2011. PMID: 21329876.
7. Fan Y, Yu Y, Mao R, Tan X, Xu G, Zhang H, Lu X, Fu S, Yang J. USP4 targets TAK1 to downregulate TNFa-induced NF-?B activation. Cell Death Differ. e-Pub 2/2011. PMID: 21331078.
8. Zhang W, Gilstrap K, Wu L, K C RB, Moss MA, Wang Q, Lu X, He X. Synthesis and characterization of thermally responsive Pluronic F127-chitosan nanocapsules for controlled release and intracellular delivery of small molecules. ACS Nano 4(11):6747-59, 11/23/2010. e-Pub 11/1/2010. PMID: 21038924.
9. Zhang X, Wan G, Mlotshwa S, Vance V, Berger FG, Chen H, Lu X. Oncogenic Wip1 phosphatase is inhibited by miR-16 in the DNA damage signaling pathway. Cancer Res 70(18):7176-86, 9/15/2010. e-Pub 7/28/2010. PMCID: PMC2940956.
10. Zhang X, Lin L, Guo H, Yang J, Jones SN, Jochemsen A, Lu X. Phosphorylation and degradation of MdmX is inhibited by Wip1 phosphatase in the DNA damage response. Cancer Res 69(20):7960-8, 10/15/2009. e-Pub 10/6/2009. PMCID: PMC2763051.
11. Lu X, Ma O, Nguyen TA, Jones SN, Oren M, Donehower LA. The Wip1 Phosphatase acts as a gatekeeper in the p53-Mdm2 autoregulatory loop. Cancer Cell 12(4):342-54, 10/2007. PMID: 17936559.
12. Lu X, Nannenga B, Donehower LA. PPM1D dephosphorylates Chk1 and p53 and abrogates cell cycle checkpoints. Genes Dev 19(10):1162-74, 5/15/2005. e-Pub 5/3/2005. PMCID: PMC1132003.
13. Lu X, Bocangel D, Nannenga B, Yamaguchi H, Appella E, Donehower LA. The p53-induced oncogenic phosphatase PPM1D interacts with uracil DNA glycosylase and suppresses base excision repair. Mol Cell 15(4):621-34, 8/27/2004. PMID: 15327777.
14. Lu X, Lozano G, Donehower LA. Activities of wildtype and mutant p53 in suppression of homologous recombination as measured by a retroviral vector system. Mutat Res 522(1-2):69-83, 1/28/2003. PMID: 12517413.
15. Lu X, Xiong Y, Silver J. Asymmetric requirement for cholesterol in receptor-bearing but not envelope-bearing membranes for fusion mediated by ecotropic murine leukemia virus. J Virol 76(13):6701-9, 7/2002. PMCID: PMC136268.
16. Tyner SD, Venkatachalam S, Choi J, Jones S, Ghebranious N, Igelmann H, Lu X, Soron G, Cooper B, Brayton C, Hee Park S, Thompson T, Karsenty G, Bradley A, Donehower LA. p53 mutant mice that display early ageing-associated phenotypes. Nature 415(6867):45-53, 1/3/2002. PMID: 11780111.
17. Lu X, Silver J. Ecotropic murine leukemia virus receptor is physically associated with caveolin and membrane rafts. Virology 276(2):251-258, 10/2000. PMID: 11040117.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Regulation of DNA damage response
Funding Source: UT Systems STARS PLUS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 12/6/2010 - 12/31/2012
 
Title: Roles of Wip1 phosphatase in genomic instability and tumorigenesis
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2010 - 6/30/2014
 
Title: Regulation of the ATM/ATR-p53 DNA damage signaling pathway by the Wip1 phosphatase
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 5/1/2009 - 2/28/2014

Last updated: 12/20/2012